4CITIES+ Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degree in Urban Studies

Programme: Erasmus+
Key Action: Learning Mobility of Individuals
Action Type: Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degrees

Summary

4CITIES+ is a two-year, 120 ECTS Master in Urban Studies, jointly organised by six universities in four cities: Brussels (Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Université libre de Bruxelles), Vienna (Universität Wien), Copenhagen (Københavns Universitet) and Madrid (Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Universidad Complutense de Madrid).

The main objective of 4CITIES+ is to acquire a comprehensive and comparative knowledge of European cities within different welfare state systems in a globalising world, underpinned by the interdisciplinarity and mix of analysis and action that is characteristic of the field of urban studies. The multifaceted complexity of cities is difficult to grasp, and so 4CITIES+ takes a holistic and immersive approach.

Theory and practice are seen as mirrors, each critically reflecting the other. The city is engaged as an evolving narrative, more dialogic than linear, and students learn to see “The City”, to hear it, to participate in it, and to understand it, all while experimenting with their role in shaping it.4CITIES+ offers three study tracks. The Classical Track: this is the track for students that want to get a broad, interdisciplinary urban studies education in four fascinating, historical and complex capital cities of Europe. Additional excursions to a diverse set of cities such as Rotterdam, Antwerp, Zagreb, Belgrade, Malmö, and Zaragoza are also organised in each semester.

For students following this track, the programme begins in Brussels in mid-September and remains there until the end of January. After a break in February, the Vienna semester runs from March through June. The third semester, in Copenhagen, starts in September and ends mid-December. The final semester, in Madrid, begins in early February and wraps up at the end of May. Throughout the two years, students work on their master thesis, which is due on the first of September.

Thesis defences and the graduation ceremony take place in Brussels in late September. The Research Track: a track for students that want to pursue a PhD and/or research career after their Master degree, this track allows for more specialisation within one of the subdomains of urban studies. Students also start in Brussels and continue in Vienna, but in the second year can follow elective courses as well as a research internship with one of our more than twenty associated academic partners across Europe.

The Practice Track: this is the track for students that want to gain relevant work experience during their Masters education. Students study in Brussels and Vienna in the first year, but in the second year can follow elective courses and do a work placement with one of our associated professional partners anywhere in Europe. 4CITIES+ graduates will receive either a joint degree (Classical Track) or a multiple degree (Research and Practice Tracks).

Official Website: http://www.4cities.eu